Susan needs to accept the City negotiated relocation package from Pacific Skies Estates mobile home park (the Carlyle Group), plus the Go Fund Me account which currently has contributions of $2,231. And, Susan also needs encouragement from her friends to seek housing assistance, inside or outside our City and County.
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| Social security $1,296, rent $1,200. That survival plan probably doesn't work. |
The Daily Journal/Bill Silverfarb, 1/11/16. " 'Last man standing'... woman will not accept relocation package after being evicted from mobile home park."
"Most of the evicted tenants at the Pacific Skies Estates mobile home park have accepted relocation packages as ownership plans to replace aging trailers with new prefabricated homes and raise rents significantly. The park in Pacifica is now mostly vacant as construction crews are busy dismantling the abandoned trailers and ancillary structures. The tenants were offered $10,000 to $15,000 to move as private equity firm The Carlyle Group has invested $42 million to bring in new manufactured homes, upgrade the streets and utilities and build a new promenade on the cliff’s edge of the Pacific Ocean.
One resident, however, has refused to accept the relocation package saying it will do her little good. Susan Burwell, 69, was the first of 22 tenants to receive an eviction notice July 29 and was to supposed to vacate her home of six years Sept. 29. Pacifica officials, however, stepped in and negotiated on the tenants’ behalf a relocation package that also offered them more time to find a new place to live. But Burwell only earns $1,296 in monthly Social Security benefits while her rent at the park is about $1,200, which includes garbage and electricity. .... A $15,000 payout, she said, will do little in helping her find a permanent place to call home. .... After her Jan. 31 deadline to vacate, she is not sure what she will do." Read more.
Related. Go Fund Me/Elena Lanz, 1/1/16, FBO: a future for Susan Burwell, "Please help Susan!" Note photograph from the Go Fund Me website.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
32 comments:
Cute Pomeranian in the photo.
That is why financial planning is so important in your 20's and 30's. So you don't end up depending on Social Security when you get old.
@2:32 -- Yes, yes, we should all be careful with our economic planning and so on when we are young. But it appears you are oblivious to the ills of inflation.
$1200 30 yrs ago (when Susan was 39) was lot more valuable than it is today. And the rents were lot cheaper too. What (I am guessing) happened is that Susan planned according to the best of her knowledge back when she was of earning age. But tinkering from above has broken the social welfare system.
Susan doesn't want to take the parks relocation package and is embarassed by the efforts to help her financially. Seems like she might enjoy being the victim. At least she outed which council member was living in the park.
Oh goody. Let's play another round of Blame The Victim.
Let's pick my friend who is 70 years old and just lost his job. His social security doesn't cover his rent either. He's looking hard for another job but nobody will hire a 70 year old man. But it's his own fault because he didn't do financial planning in his 20's or 30's. He should have put some savings away when he was living hand to mouth, from pay check to pay check. Oh yes, seems like he might enjoy being the victim of his own poor planning.
Plan, scrimp and save. Maybe inherit some of what your parent's planned, scrimped and saved. Maybe not. And then, above all else, be lucky, ie, healthy and able to work, good timing on those major life decisions, solid career planning, no sick kids, spouse or parents, pick the right spouse, no divorce or lawsuits, don't get swindled by the Madoffs of the world or in your own family. Be smug and pat yourself on the back for being smart enough not to end up old, broke and relying on the charity of strangers. Oh, yes, that could never happen to you. Fool, there but for the grace of God....
@2:32 -- Yes, yes, we should all be careful with our economic planning and so on when we are young. But it appears you are oblivious to the ills of inflation.
$1200 30 yrs ago (when Susan was 39) was lot more valuable than it is today. And the rents were lot cheaper too
Libertarian. My house was paid off long before I was 39. No inheritance, no lotto winnings, just good financial planning and saving. Most people still today live paycheck to paycheck.
Now we collect rents and they keep going up every year!
@7:03 -- just because life worked out a certain way for you isn't indicative that it would be the same for everyone. Illnesses, unemployment, accidents etc etc.
If you were able to pay off your house before 39 yrs of age, that is indicative of high purchasing power of your earnings and also the fact of stable demand in the housing market (unlike today). I do not believe that you could have foreseen the market conditions today back when you were saving. I think it is simply happen chance that it is working in your favor. So, I am hesitant to place 100% credence in your specific financial planning.
That said, I think financial planning is a good practice. But it is not fool proof. Regardless of whatever Susan might or mightn't have done, the fact today is we have a 69 yr old person on the verge of homelessness.
As a society and community that strives for better, I think we should try and solve Susan's problem and explore ways so other elders don't end up in the same situation.
Do we want to live in a society that abandons its elderly? (I am not faulting Carlyle group here and I am not proposing govt should step in with public money). But rather underlining the plight of many elderly whose savings are being proven worthless. And that as a community we should work towards common consensus and methods to solve this social ill.
lib,
Sell your house, cars, clothes and toys then split the booty with Susan.
Put YOUR money where your mouth is.
Lots of people move to less expensive places when they retire. Nobody is entitled to landlord subsidies that allow them to live wherever they want.
If I was on the verge of homelessness I would not let my pride stand in the way of taking the $15,000 that is sitting on the table. I would grab onto every bit of help being offered. I think surviving today so I can start planning for something better should be Susan's priority. We baby boomers are used to changes even if we don't always like them. Take the money.
535 Sounds logical and smart, but as you well know sometimes people are simply unable to do the logical, smart thing. Judgment doesn't always improve with age and it can often be clouded by physical or psychological issues that strike the elderly when they are most vulnerable. Hope the woman has someone in her life with her best interests at heart and to whom she listens. Rugged individualism is for the young and/or well-heeled.
Local Lib 1/14, 11:09 am-- your comments: Bravo!
Furthermore in this country, 21st century, should anyone be homeless, hungry, without care, abandoned-- what are our human and humane priorities?
I also wonder if Susan's seeming martyrdom has not been discourage (hence encouraged) by the campaign leadership against Pacific Skies Estates corporate management.
Liberals always blame the landlords for raising rents. It's supply and demand.
Conservatives always say supply and demand, under the delusion that there's a free market.
Wingnuts think that some government bureaucrat can determine who gets what better than the market.
So many of these things we rush to applaud, defend and excuse as market conditions or supply and demand are appalling. We are rotting from the inside out, as people and as a nation.
I have to say what a range of comments and know where near the TRUTH. Does anybody know what TRUTH is anymore.
You people that think I should take the package don't have a CLUE as to what is going on or my statement!!!!!!First of all in my Belief Pride is a Sin.It's what GOD hates most compared to LIARS.Do I have both of course ,but I certainly strive not to. Just to keep the record TRUTHFUL,I refuse too rent a place above my means and supplement it with monies that I or our collective group did not negotiate for!!!!! Lori Tinfow(City Manager) and Carol McDermott sat together with out our knowledge which is ILLEGAL and came up with the lowest number because Pacific Skies Estates threatened the City with Legal Actions. Stated by Ms.Tnfow in Oct5,th 2015
meeting. We have been denied a Impact Report to determine all of this is being done bogus ally,underhanded, deceptive to community, etc etc.Stated by Ms.Tinfow it was a TRADE-OFF!!!!So I am being displaced,discarded,losing everything,and being made homeless because of it!!!!!!Its not a matter of staying ,the relocation experts are required to find compatible housing.
I will not rent something I can not pay on my own income and be evicted for not paying rent when that package is gone and 1/4 of it went to moving expenses and deposits,security,etc.There has been no compensation for HARDSHIP created for us for GREED. We have not had DUE PROCESS.We were never told this was going to happen.All of what has been done between CITY of Pacifica and Pacific Skies Estates Mobile Home Park Owners is ILLEGAL!!!!!!!!!!
I could tell you so much more but you can research it. Somebody mentioned "BY the GRACE of GOD. You Betcha. You will see HIS HAND if you look at the bluff where they built the NEW office without a COastal Commission Permit.I have nothing but sadness for the other homes and business that lost their bluff.
So at the end of the day by all means express your opinions on the FACTS.I have humility,strong Faith,integrity and hope that the younger generation and old will stand firm on FAITH and what is RIGHT no matter the COST.I need a place to live,I'm only asking for a Studio or Garage I can modify to living area.
I"M NOT FOR SALE!!!!!!
EVICTEE !Also don't play the victim role, whoever thinks this PSE plan is right and I should take money is the VICTIM!!!!!
SUSAN BURWELL
I forgot to add to one comment,I'm not embarrassed by given monies ,donations ,etc. I am OVERWHELMED with GRATITUDE!!!If society would help the less fortunate that want to do better we would not have the sadness and horrific suffering of families and small children. Actually the RICH are SUPPOSE to HELP the POOR. People don't realize that is how it's suppose to be.It is why they are wealthy.
SO now you have some TRUTH to CHEW on!! BY THE WAY DO YOU THINK A SINGLE OR NOT MOM WITH 3 CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE HER RENT RAISED 750.00 DOLLARS???
EVICTEE
SUSAN BURWELL
Dear Kathy Meeh,
Thank you for taking down the photo that said renters in danger should move from three bedroom to one studio homes. I felt it was not necessary to be cruel to our brothers and sisters in need.
Dear Susan Urban.
I feel badly that our city let you down and is casting the most needy and most vulnerable into the streets. A year ago the February 2015 to 2023 housing element meeting quantified and conserved the 93 units of Pacific Skies Estates as very low income housing for people exactly like you. Single seniors making less than $39,000 per year.
The City of Pacifica let you down. A very powerful realtor lobby exerted it's influence over its bought and paid for candidates Mike O'Neill and Karen Ervin and they repeatedly voted against more substantial help, pretending they were helpless due to city planning codes, when the state has repeatedly ruled the opposite.
May God bless you and keep you safe, Susan.
Please attend the Jackie Speier town hall forum on rental housing and rents. The town hall will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on February 22nd at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 600 Columbia Drive, San Mateo
Ms. Urban--you need a place, contact the PIA people. I am sure they will put you up as they convert their garage into a third affordable unit. Call St Peter's church for details..
I do sympathize with your situation but I would be afraid to rent to you. It looks like unless someone comes thru and rents you exactly the kind of space you want that you will force the trailer park to go thru the eviction process. Who will take the risk to rent to someone who has an eviction on their credit rating? I hope something comes thru for you.
1056 I do wonder if what you say is wise counsel charitably offered, or, an attempt to intimidate while oozing fake compassion.
I would hope I would get a chance to explain my eviction.By the way I'm an excellent tenant.
You can be sure there is nothing FAKE about ME or what I SAY!!!!!!
I actually am in touch with SPOP. Your comment is very sarcastic,when you think this will never happen to BEWARE.
Whether you own a home or rent nothing is secure.
Ms. Urban:
Please help me understand something. On one hand you say, "I will not rent something I can not pay on my own income..." and then on the other you say, "I'm not embarrassed by given monies ,donations ,etc. I am OVERWHELMED with GRATITUDE!!!If society would help the less fortunate that want to do better we would not have the sadness and horrific suffering of families and small children. Actually the RICH are SUPPOSE to HELP the POOR. People don't realize that is how it's suppose to be.It is why they are wealthy."
Please clarify for me this apparent contradiction.
810 Perhaps she's reluctant to depend on the charity of strangers because of its temporary nature. She wants to be able to afford her new place using only her own usual resources. You know, grateful for any help, but still outraged by the lack of housing she can afford once the 'dust settles'. Not so contradictory if you try just a little to see it her way.
Thank you 12:08. You said it better than I was going to.
I SEE NO CONTRADICTION AT ALL. THE FINANCIAL HELP IS TO HELP ME FIND SOMETHING TO BUY IN THE REALM OF TRAVEL TRAILERS IF I CAN'T GET A STUDIO OR GARAGE TO MODIFY.MY FRIEND SET THIS UP.I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT!!!DO YOU THINK I EXPECT PEOPLE TO PAY FOR ME?????? WHO ARE YOU???? YOU CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING BAD OUT OF SOMETHING GOOD.
I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE A PACKAGE AND RENT SOMETHING BASED ON THAT MONEY.BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT. AFTER MONIES ARE GONE.IF I CAN'T PAY WHAT I CAN AFFORD I'D BE MAKING A BIGGER PROBLEM FOR MY SELF AND THE LANDLORD. ALL PLACES SHOULD'NT HAVE TO BE LOW RENTS ,BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.THATS WHY PEOPLE HAVE CREDIT CARD DEBT THEY DON'T RELIZE THEY CAN'T AFFORD SOMETHING OR THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. NOT SAYING CREDIT CARD USE IS WRIONG I DO IT MYSELF FOR VET, CAR ETC.BUT I CAN'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF SITUATION FOR RENT. I LOVE HAVING A HOME FOR MY FURRY FAMILY AND ME. I LIVE REAL SIMPLE.
I THINK YOU ARE RUDE AND SELF CENTERED. WE ALL HAVE ISSUES!!!!!!!!!!
SUSAN BURWELL
I hope things work out the way you want, Ms. Burwell. You're not asking for much, you know your resources, both one-time and on-going, and it sounds like you've got a plan that may work. Wish you well.
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